A 24-year-old IT professional from Kerala, who went missing during a trek in Karnataka's Kodagu district, was found safe after surviving alone for four days in the forest. Sharanya, a native of Nadapuram in Kozhikode and working in Kochi, was rescued on Sunday following an extensive search operation.
Sharanya had joined a 10-member group for a trek to Tadiyandamol Hill, the highest peak in Kodagu, on April 2. She is reported to have reached the trekking base early that morning.
While returning, she got separated from the group and lost her way in the forest. Authorities were alerted after she did not return, and a search operation was launched soon after.
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After being rescued, Sharanya said she had lost direction while descending. "I had lost my way. I could not see anyone when I climbed down. I came to a left-side path but could not find anyone," she told NDTV.
She had limited resources, carrying only a 500 ml bottle of water and facing lack of mobile connectivity. She attempted to contact a colleague before her phone battery ran out.
"I walked till around 6.45 pm on the first day after losing the path. After that, I stayed in an open space near a stream as I could not go further because of the dense forest," she said.
In the following days, she continued moving through the forest, hoping to find help. "In the days that followed, I kept walking expecting to meet someone," she added.
Despite being alone in a dense forest area, Sharanya said she did not experience fear during the ordeal. "I did not feel scared. I don't know why," she said.
She was eventually spotted by a group of locals in a remote part of the forest, described by rescue team members as an area "where nobody usually goes."
A large-scale search operation had been carried out to locate her, involving nine teams including forest officials, Anti-Naxal Squad personnel, and local tribal communities.
Search efforts were intensified following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with additional teams and equipment such as thermal drone cameras deployed.
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed that Sharanya had been found and was in good health. He described her as "brave and adventurous," and noted that the lack of mobile connectivity in the forest made it difficult to trace her location.
Officials said Sharanya had last contacted the homestay where she was staying in Kakkabe village, informing them that she had lost her way.
Authorities have stated that she will be safely escorted back to her home in Kerala.
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